Joy by Seven Reasons closes in Friendship Heights; contents to be auctioned off

Joy by Seven Reasons has closed at 5471 Wisconsin Avenue at the Collection at Chevy Chase in Friendship Heights. The contents of the restaurant will be auctioned off beginning on March 25, 2026. Conceived as a more-affordable spinoff of Seven Reasons in Washington, D.C. to better match the sinking median income level and stagnant economy of Friendship Heights, online reviewers noted that prices were still too high for their wallets, and that the restaurant was not exactly packing in the crowds. 

With empty storefronts ticking upward again at the Collection, and Saks Fifth Avenue departing by summer, property owner CCLC could look to reimagine this massive and prime site as a mixed-use "town center" development. As the Montgomery County Council damaged the area once known as "Montgomery County's Rodeo Drive" by encouraging the very wealthy to flee to lower-tax jurisdictions in the region, high-end retail and restaurants suddenly began vanishing in Friendship Heights. The collapse would give CCLC an argument to go big with a redevelopment plan, likely starting with the Saks end of the property.

Saks Fifth Avenue to close in Chevy Chase, opening potential major redevelopment opportunity

Saks Fifth Avenue will close its store at 5555 Wisconsin Avenue in the Friendship Heights area of Chevy Chase by the end of May. The high-end department store chain announced it will close 12 stores as part of its ongoing bankruptcy woes. This includes the Tysons location, as well as landmark stores on Chicago's Magnificent Mile, on Long Island, and at South Coast Plaza in Orange County, California. Saks' Chevy Chase outpost has been just such a landmark since it opened in 1964, as the grand department stores slowly realized the future - and their customers - were in the suburbs.

The departure of Saks will open a potentially huge redevelopment opportunity for property owner CCLC. With Amazon Fresh also having closed at the Collection at Chevy Chase development, the company is free to seriously consider knocking most or all of the retail and office structures down, and build a mixed use "town center" that would fall somewhere on the scale between their Chevy Chase Lake project and Federal Realty's Pike & Rose. The current Collection retail center was constructed at a time when community input and civic associations had a much greater role in development, leading to the low-density project that resulted.

Fast forward to 2026, and the zoning and density restrictions are wildly more liberal. Montgomery County government no longer listens to public input, civic associations, or even the once-decisive powers like Kenwood or the Columbia Country Club, having paid no price whatsoever at the ballot box for defying public or power-player opinion on matters like the Westbard sector plan, the Little Falls Parkway road diet and the Purple Line.

If you haven't noticed yet, the County has abandoned all of its "Smart Growth" propaganda pablum. Planners no longer regale attendees at community meetings with high-minded platitudes like "transit-oriented development," "quarter-to-half-a-mile from Metro," "eyes on the street," and "activate the streetscape." In 2014, the County said it just wanted the shopping centers for redevelopment. "We won't touch the neighborhoods." Ten years later, it announced it wouldn't just touch, but bulldoze the neighborhoods, with the County Council passage of Thrive Montgomery 2050. 

No more dancing around. No more apologies.

Yet, at the Collection, there is not only the land to do something big, but the property is literally at a Metro station. And thanks to the County Council driving the rich to move to lower-tax jurisdictions in the region, Friendship Heights is in decline. As a result, CCLC would actually have a pretty solid basis upon which to argue for an ambitious revitalization project. It doesn't mean CCLC will do it. But the potential is there to go big, and ask for even bigger. It's not 2006 anymore, and the obstacles of public opinion and community that bedeviled developers then have been utterly vanquished over the succeeding two decades.

Sarah Nouri opening boutique in Friendship Heights

Sarah Nouri New York is opening a boutique in the Friendship Heights area of Chevy Chase. The bridal and evening gown designer will open the shop at 5471 Wisconsin Avenue at the Collection at Chevy Chase. "Coming soon" signage has been posted in the windows of the future storefront, which is located between Tiffany and DePandi. The 1866-square-foot boutique is anticipated to open early this summer. 

Thanksgiving-Palooza Nov. 23 at Amazon Fresh in Friendship Heights

Save the date for Thanksgiving-Palooza at the Amazon Fresh grocery store at 5463 Wisconsin Avenue at the Collection at Chevy Chase on Saturday, November 23, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Attendees will receive a free "pie server," while supplies last. There will also be free tastings of Thanksgiving side dishes and pies, and activities for children. When they gave it a big name like "palooza," I was thinking Jeff Bezos himself might be there carving the turkey.

New tenants, new art continue revitalization of The Collection at Chevy Chase

A trio of new tenants has opened for business at The Collection at Chevy Chase in Friendship Heights. Porsche Studio, Brooks Brothers, and Bright Horizons have joined the roster of retailers, restaurants, and services at this shopping destination, which has undergone a high-budget transformation to restore the luster to what was once called "Montgomery County's Rodeo Drive." Most efforts to turn around the fortunes of Friendship Heights have been on the D.C. side of the border, but Collection owner The Chevy Chase Land Company and developer Donohoe are in an ongoing process of making major investments on the Maryland side.

The crown jewel of the Collection's additions is the Porsche Studio. A departure from traditional dealerships, this sleek and modern showroom is designed to immerse visitors in the world of Porsche. With its state-of-the-art touchpoints and immersive atmosphere, the Studio is more than just a place to buy a car; it's an experience. This is the German automaker's entry into the niche of showroom established by Tesla, where Elon Musk revolutionized a pivot from Spartan sales-desk warehouses and sprawling lots to an art gallery aesthetic, with placement in urban storefronts and suburban malls.

Porsche Studio is a sensory overload of sleek European lines, modernist furnishings, and polished chrome. It's like stepping into a Bond villain's lair, only without the henchmen and the world domination plot. A custom Maryland-themed mural will have auto enthusiasts looking around for the container of Old Bay. Porsche Studio is not a competitor to Porsche Bethesda up the Pike at Pike & Rose; they share an owner, Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Brooks Brothers has been a familiar sight on this stretch of Wisconsin Avenue for many years. It has now made a short move across the street to the Collection, as its former location is being redeveloped into a mixed-use residential building by Donohoe. The new Brooks Brothers is a 5722-square-foot temple of traditional American style, transporting you back to an era when men wore suits with panache, and women dressed to impress. Being forced back to the office? It's time to go back to Brooks Brothers, a one-stop shop for those aspiring to the sartorial elite.

Bright Horizons is the most practical-minded of the new additions at the Collection. Its 11,638-square-foot space at 17 Wisconsin Circle offers full-day, full-year early education and care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old at the care center. Amenities and security measures include an onsite outdoor playground, secure entryways, supported by extensive health and safety policies and procedures. Bright Horizons is not only targeted towards parents who live nearby, but also to the employees of the many offices that surround it.

"Our commitment has been to create a strategic mix of retail and services to accommodate the daily 'needs and wants' of shoppers, diners, visitors, neighbors, and office workers in a central location," John Ziegenhein, CEO of The Chevy Chase Land Company, said in a statement. "Adding Bright Horizons here is a benefit for parents seeking childcare near to where they work and live, and we’re proud to keep Brooks Brothers on the same block as they move from just across the street. We have the excitement of the Porsche Studio adding to the lineup of incredible restaurants and retail at The Collection."

Two other new additions augment the Collection's growing collections of public art. New murals adorn the building facade above Hunter's Hound, and above the new Dunkin' Donuts kiosk at 2 Wisconsin Circle. Artist Cory Bernat is a local muralist and veritable Renaissance woman who defines herself as "an original thinker and astute observer," and lists her resume bullet points as "designer, creative director, content strategist, professor, curator, food historian, and former disguise technician." The Dunkin' kiosk pictured above is the chain's first such walk-up-window-only store model in Maryland.

Photo credits: 1,2,3,7, courtesy Collection at Chevy Chase; 4,5,6 Robert Dyer

Porsche Studio Chevy Chase nears completion in Friendship Heights

The new Porsche Studio at the Collection at Chevy Chase is nearing completion in Friendship Heights. Construction workers could still be seen at work inside the art gallery-inspired interior of the showroom late last week. Design touches range from the modern - furniture and a flatscreen video display in the front window - to the whimsical (a children's ride-on toy Porsche). Porsche Studio Chevy Chase is located at 5471-C Wisconsin Avenue, and is affiliated with the Porsche Bethesda dealership further up MD 355 at Pike & Rose.

Porsche Studio Chevy Chase construction update (Photos)

The window coverings have come down at the future Porsche Studio, scheduled to open by the end of summer at the Collection at Chevy Chase in Friendship Heights. Many of the interior design elements seen in the renderings of the auto showroom last year are now visible. Permanent signage is now in place on the exterior of the building, and is already lit at night. The art gallery-inspired showroom is being opened by the same ownership of Porsche Bethesda at Pike & Rose.

Signage installed at Brooks Brothers in Friendship Heights

The sign is up at Brooks Brothers, opening soon at The Collection at Chevy Chase in Friendship Heights. Inside, there's still much to be done before opening day. Until then, their existing location will remain open at 5504 Wisconsin Avenue. They are moving because their current building is going to be demolished to make way for a new mixed-use development.

Chevy Chase Land Co. takes another big swing at office market in Friendship Heights

The Chevy Chase Land Company is announcing completion of a second major repositioning of one of its office properties in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase area. After winding up a $25 million set of upgrades to its iconic 2 Bethesda Metro Center office tower this spring, the firm has now made several significant updates and additions to its 5425 Wisconsin Avenue office building in Friendship Heights. The building rises eight stories above the company's Collection at Chevy Chase development. Like 2 Bethesda Metro Center, it is also located steps from an entrance to a Red Line Metro station.

Bethesda-based GTM Architects designed a set of new amenities and reimagined spaces that CCLC believes will make the building much more competitive in the office market. Companies are seeking spaces that are inviting and engaging enough to lure workers back to the office, and create new settings and opportunities for employee collaboration. To these ends, 5425 Wisconsin has added a new tenant lounge space with a 60-person training and conference room, pub-style collaboration booths, Trackman golf simulator, shuffleboard table, arcade zone, catering kitchen and bar area. A separate set of post-pandemic-lockdown enhancements were made to the building's lobby in 2022.

“The amenities we have now incorporated into 5425 Wisconsin are literally a ‘game changer’ for our tenants,” Chevy Chase Land Co. EVP of Asset Management Jason Winans said in a statement. “We’re providing a relaxing club-like space for tenants to escape the confines of the desk so they can interact for both meetings and social time in an immediately accessible game room, as well as conference area.”

Tenants of 5425 Wisconsin will join those of 2 Bethesda Metro Center in the CCLC's branded Ascend amenity program. Occupants of one participating building are able to take advantage of on-site amenities at the other buildings in the program. All of the current Ascend properties are located in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase area, and connected by transit.

Photos courtesy Chevy Chase Land Co.

Brooks Brothers relocating in Friendship Heights

Brooks Brothers is relocating its Friendship Heights store. It will be moving diagonally across Wisconsin Avenue to the Collection at Chevy Chase. The existing store at 5504 Wisconsin Avenue will remain open until the move. That storefront is among several that will be demolished to make way for a new Donohoe Companies-developed apartment building, which will have ground floor retail and restaurant space.

Giorgetti now open in Friendship Heights

Giorgetti is now open at 5471 Wisconsin Avenue, at The Collection at Chevy Chase in Friendship Heights. With local partner Salus Homes, the legendary Italian furniture design firm has brought one-and-a-quarter century of fine craftsmanship from the Brianza region of Italy to this upscale Chevy Chase showroom. While the store is open now, a grand opening celebration will be held later this month. Operating hours of Giorgetti are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Mondays, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Tuesday through Friday, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays.

Photos courtesy The Collection at Chevy Chase

Giorgetti opening soon at The Collection at Chevy Chase

I have an update on the arrival of fine Italian furniture retailer Giorgetti at The Collection at Chevy Chase in Friendship Heights. A spokesperson for property owner Chevy Chase Land Co. says their showroom opening should be in a few weeks. They have leased 3000-square-feet on the Wisconsin Avenue side of the development. Salus Homes is bringing the brand to Chevy Chase.

Whether in the fields of fashion, automobiles or furniture, design is the internationally-recognized thread that runs through all sectors Italy dominates. Giorgetti represents more than 126 years of expert craftsmanship in Brianza, Italy. Carlo Colombo, Roberto Lazzaroni, and Dante Bernini are among the premier designers to be associated with the firm during its history. Salus Homes is a local design firm and retailer that enjoys exclusive partnerships with several iconic Italian brands, including Giorgetti.

“The Giorgetti brand resonates perfectly with both The Chevy Chase Land Company and the community it will serve here in the Greater Washington Region,” Chevy Chase Land Company CEO John Ziegenhein said in a statement. “Like our company, Giorgetti has a history going back over a century, yet is committed to innovation – which is palpable in their iconic designs. That aesthetic across living areas, dining and kitchen, home office and bedroom is what we feel will be compelling to the homeowners here in both the city and suburbs, homes and condominiums.”

Top photo: Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row
Middle/bottom photos: Giorgetti

Giorgetti opening at the Collection at Chevy Chase

Italian furniture brand Giorgetti, is "coming soon" to the Collection at Chevy Chase in Friendship Heights, according to signage posted in its future storefront. It will be located next to Joy by Seven Reasons at the Chevy Chase Land Co.-owned property. The company says the American market is increasingly essential for Italian furniture makers, but that the middlemen who dominate the home furnishing sector here are unfit to represent fine Italian products. Its solution is to open its own retail showrooms in the United States, and sell directly to customers. The first three flagship stores will be this one in Chevy Chase, one in Miami, and one in New York City.

Armed robbery at Amazon Fresh in Friendship Heights

Montgomery County police are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating four suspects in the November 20, 2023 armed robbery of the Amazon Fresh store at the Collection at Chevy Chase in Friendship Heights. Detectives say four people entered the store sometime prior to 12:43 PM Monday, and began to fill bags with merchandise. When an employee approached two of the suspects, one of them raised his shirt to display a handgun in his waistband, and announced that this was an armed robbery of the store.

The employee backed away, and allowed the suspects to leave with bags filled with merchandise of undisclosed value. When the suspects were last seen, they were carrying their bags toward the Friendship Heights Metro station. Police have now released surveillance footage of the four suspects.

Suspect one is described by police as a Black male with a medium build, approximately 6-feet, 1-inch tall and 180 pounds with a beard. Suspect two is described as a Black female, approximately 5-feet, 2-inches tall and 220 pounds. Her hair was dyed orange and worn in braids. Suspect three and four are described as two Black males, one with a medium build and the other with a beard.

Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this crime or the suspects involved to call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspects. Callers may remain anonymous.  

Porsche Studio opening at Collection at Chevy Chase

Porsche has announced it will open a Porsche Studio next year at the Collection at Chevy Chase in Friendship Heights. The new urban dealership concept is similar to that of Tesla, and the recently-opened Koons Lincoln showroom in downtown Bethesda. A handful of vehicles on display in a modern, art-gallery-inspired environment. In fact, like the Lincoln showroom, the Porsche Studio will have actual art pieces on display alongside Porsche memorabilia. 

The first Porsche Studio that opened in the United States in Portland, Oregon, includes a cafe and bar area serving regional cuisine and coffee. That amenity has not been confirmed for this location as of this morning. In the Porsche Studio's upscale setting, potential buyers can review and customize vehicle and options. While a Chevy Chase location might sound like it would steal business from Porsche Bethesda at Pike & Rose, the Porsche Studio is being opened by the owner of Porsche Bethesda. The Chevy Chase Porsche Studio is expected to open in late summer 2024.

Joy by Seven Reasons construction begins in Friendship Heights (Photos)

Construction is now underway for a Friendship Heights spinoff of Seven Reasons in the District, at the Collection at Chevy Chase. The latest venture by chef Enrique Limardo, Joy by Seven Reasons, will bring his Michelin-star Latin American cuisine to the recently-revamped Chevy Chase Land Company property on Wisconsin Avenue. 

According to Eater DC, the Friendship Heights location will be a more-affordable, a la carte concept, compared to the chef tasting menu experience that has drawn celebrities like Bono to the D.C. location. That's in keeping with the downscaling of what was once touted as "Montgomery County's Rodeo Drive" to more of a middle-class destination over the last decade. The anti-business Montgomery County Council running the economy into the ditch, and the flight of the rich to lower-tax jurisdictions in the area, have left a struggling corridor of vacant storefronts to reimagine. This is the highest profile addition yet, in CCLC's effort to reposition a development once dominated by high-end luxury boutiques.